Spring is in the air...again...

I feel like we are experiencing Spring for a 2nd time now.  The weather is getting warmer again and Parker is liking being able to play outside on his new play set, in the planter boxes and roam the huge yard (I imagine it looks huge to him!)!  He can already climb up the ladder on the play set by himself!  He is becoming so independent already!  It keeps Joel and I on our toes...we never turn our backs because you don't know what he might be up to!  Thankfully he has caught on to going off things backwards so he can go down the slide by himself!

1 year ago yesterday...

Dear Parks.

A year ago yesterday I was 51 lbs heavier.

A year ago yesterday I was wearing very wet pants in the Home Decor isle at Target.

A year ago yesterday I was packing up a bag to go to the hospital even though they told me to pack it weeks ago.

A year ago yesterday I looked at your room one last time imagining what it would be like with you in it.

A year ago yesterday I was wondering when you were going to make an entrance into the world and our arms. 

A year ago yesterday I was tired from being up all night.

 

A year ago yesterday I had no clue what being tired really meant.

  

A year ago yesterday you were born so perfect.

A year ago yesterday our hearts experienced a love we have never known before.

Happy Birthday Parker!

Parker's 1st birthday letter...

Parker...

Today marks 1 year that you have been in our lives!  The time has flown by so quickly!  Daddy and I could not have even begun to imagine how you would bless our lives!  It is hard to imagine that you were the little person growing inside of me a year ago.  I always had a hard time imagining what you would be like, but I am glad I didn't try to imagine because I wouldn't have imagined you perfect enough.  From the moment you were placed in our arms God has blessed us beyond measure.  We thought our life already was so fabulous, but you have enriched it so much more!  Your smile can melt our hearts, your giggle can get us hysterical, when you learn new things we are so proud, and when we reflect on the little boy we have been blessed with we are always brought to tears. 

Tears have definitely been a theme this past year.  Daddy and I already were pretty emotional people, but having you has just softened our hearts even more.  I cry when you are teething because I don't want you to be in pain, I cry when I hear of other people's babies not being healthy and I feel so fortunate that you are, I cry when you smile that adorable smile, I cry when daddy cries, and sometimes I just cry tears of joy because my heart is bursting with so much love for you.

This past year has been full of new changes for us as we adapted to learning how to be parents for the first time, figuring out how to balance a much busier life in one sense and yet a much slower one in another, and feeling the responsibility of teaching a child to love and serve the Lord.  We have appreciated all of the support from our family, friends and church as they walked along side of us as we raise you.  You are truly blessed to have so many fabulous people in your life who pray for you and invest in your life!

I love every aspect of you, Parker!  Your little personality is endearing.  Your smile melts our hearts.  The look you give us when we come home from work is priceless.  The way you giggle when daddy pretends to be a gorilla is hysterical.  The way you bury your head in my chest as I rock you in middle of the night are some of my favorite moments.  I love having you as my side kick every day watching you learn new things and experience the world.  I feel so proud when you fold your hands as we pray to Jesus to thank him for our day and pray for others.   I feel so blessed to not be working full time so I can be home with you and spend as much time together as possible.  The days I spend with you make me so happy!  You are such a sweet and happy little boy and every where we go people comment on how happy and cute you are. Daddy and I definitely agree!

We don't know what the future will bring, but know that we will be by your side, hand in hand, every step of the way.  We can tell by the way you giggle at the little girls on Praise Babies and at church that we are in for an exciting adventure!  We pray for you every day as you grow into the little boy that God created you to be.  You have brought so much joy into our lives this past year!  We love you so much.  You are our sweet little boy, and we will love you forever and always.

Love you Parker Miles.

It's My Party...

...but I won't be crying because I am getting lots of gifts and get to eat cupcakes!

The whole family (both sides including Aunt Alison) came over today and celebrated Parker's big day with us!  Parker was spoiled with lots of love and attention and fabulous gifts!

Having 20 people eating in our house was a little tight but we were all able to find some room to enjoy our chili dogs!

We had a scavenger hunt outside where the kids found eggs filled with candy and coins.  The coins were a bigger hit than what I thought...I don't think they have quite grasped the concept of how much a quarter is yet!  I loved seeing them be so excited to find their eggs, and then to empty them out inside afterwards and see what they got!  The hunt lasted a little longer than expected because I had told them that they each had 6 eggs to find.  Towards the end of the hunt every kid was looking for 1 more egg, but it appeared that all the eggs we hid were found...oops...I then realized there were only 5 eggs each! 

Everyone hanging out waiting for the presents to be opened!

Parker had a LOT of helpers opening his presents and cards!  It was hard to get a picture through the wall of boys!  I think they were more excited about what Parker got than he was!

Thanks Aunt Alison for the awesome stool!  Parker now uses it to climb up onto the couch and chair!

Thanks Grandpa & Grandma Nagelkirk for the adorable little wagon!  Parker climbs in and out of it 25 times a day, and loves to go for rides around the house in it!

Thanks Uncle Josh, Aunt Kelly, Lucas, Tyson and Caden for the popper toy and art supplies!  We can't wait for him to start walking so he can push the popper around!

This card apparently is very interesting!  I love the boys' faces in these pictures!  So serious as they listen to Uncle Joel read the card!

Parker's favorite gift...a piece of wrapping paper that he played with during the process of unwrapping the gifts!

Thanks Grandpa & Grandma Lambert for the Dump Truck, Art Supplies and Water Table!  We are super excited for warm weather so we can get outside and use these awesome toys!  He already loves putting balls in the back of the dump truck!

Thanks Uncle John, Aunt Kim, Uncle Dan, Aunt Amanda and all the Nagelkirk cousins for the bubble lawn mower!  Looks like a ton of fun and Joel is excited to have a helper with the lawn!

The weather was just warm enough to have the kids be able to eat and play outside for most of the party.  Our neighbors recently gave us their old swing set, and we moved it over to our house the weekend of the party..we were so thankful that we did!  The boys loved playing on it so much!  I have a feeling this will get a lot of use throughout the next few years!

We, of course, had to have Parker eat his first cupcake at the party!  Everyone was anxious to see if he has the "Nagelkirk Sweet Tooth"...I am happy to report he does not (yet!).  He mostly just played with it.  Even after Joel gave him a piece he was still not very interested.  

Normally Parker loves singing, but he was not so sure about everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to him!

Daddy helped blow out the candle, and we wished for health and happiness for Parker in the next year!

Dig in birthday boy!

He was a little dazed through the eating of the cupcake...we were well past nap time!

Notice the bruise on his cheek...he fell onto a drawer the previous week and still had a bruise to show for it!

It was such a fabulous day celebrating Parker and the blessing he is in our family's life!  God has blessed us beyond measure!